Marianne Initiative
for Human rights defenders

In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron announed the lauching of Marianne Initiative for Human rights defenders, to help them in their fight, in France and abroad.

The Marianne association for human rights defenders was created to unite actors committed in our country (State, organismes, NGO, professionnals, local governments, etc.) and provide the initiative’s support services in France, for about a dozen laureates each year (welcome, personalized support, networking, etc.).

"France is and will be a homeland for human rights defenders"

After hosting a first women only cohorte in 2022, four new mixt cohortes followed one after another, from 2023 to 2026.

A dozen of women and men from all over the world are hosted in France for four months and a half. The laureates benefit from a formation program to strenghten their capacities and their commitment in their home country, wether they fight for civil and political rights, women's rights, minorities' rights or environmental rights.

Flashback from last years

"Human rights protection is a fight, more than ever current, in a context of multiplication of repression worldwide."

Emmanuel Macron – French Republic President, during the launching of the second cohorte

Fundamental human rights are each day more threatened woldwied. On this international day, I wanted to launch the Marianne Initiative for Human rights defenders. To hold these rights everwhere. To protect and support their defenders.

Emmanuel Macron – Président de la République, lors de la Journée des droits de l’Homme en 2021